Nostalgic literary youth vibes are all the rage！Top 10 must-visit historic streets in Taiwan recommended by netizens

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Summer vacation is here, and you want to go out with family, friends, or your partner, but if you're tired of malls and night markets, where else can you go? Literary youth style is trending—why not stroll through historic streets and enjoy the nostalgic charm away from the city's hustle and bustle？DailyView Online ThermometerHas compiled a list of the top 10 most beloved historic streets in Taiwan. Grab your camera and start your pilgrimage now！

▲ Tamsui Old Street street view. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

1. Tamsui Old Street
Speaking of historic streets, how can you miss Tamsui Old Street? In Tamsui, you can enjoy plenty of delicious food and beautiful seaside views. If time allows, you can even take a boat to Bali or Fisherman’s Wharf. Moreover, Tamsui Old Street’s alleys preserve the baroque-style church built by Dr. George Leslie Mackay during his missionary work in Taiwan, as well as the original site of Mackay Memorial Hospital, exuding a strong nostalgic atmosphere.

▲ Daxi Old Street. (Photo / From Wikipedia)

2. Daxi Old Street
Daxi Old Street is a historic attraction located in Daxi District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan. It mainly refers to Peace Road and Zhongshan Road in Daxi Town. On Peace Road, historic buildings such as Yongfa Store, Songmao Tea House, and Kenko are particularly representative, each with interesting history and cultural significance.

The most famous offerings of Daxi Old Street are its diverse delicacies. The most well-known is Daxi tofu, and the area’s specialty “Moonlight Cake” is also a popular and sought-after item. When you visit Daxi Old Street, you’ll not only run out of film but also find it hard to finish your souvenir shopping！

▲ JiuFen Old Street. (Photo / From the Tourism Bureau website)

3. JiuFen Old Street
JiuFen Old Street is a must-visit destination for both domestic and international travelers. The early gold rush boom brought prosperity to this mountain town, which later declined when the mines were exhausted. However, after the 1990s, the unique old-style architecture, sloped terrain, and charm of JiuFen caught global attention again thanks to the movie “A City of Sadness,” which was filmed here. This brought new life to the area and attracted more visitors！

When you visit JiuFen Old Street, don’t miss the chewy and delicious taro balls, as well as the many vintage-style artisan crafts—you’ll find little surprises everywhere.

▲ Pingxi Sky Lantern Police Station, people releasing sky lanterns (Photo / Provided by Banana Xinlongyan)

4. Pingxi Old Street
In Pingxi, besides taking the distinctive small train and wandering through nostalgic alleyways, there’s one essential activity—releasing sky lanterns！ Pingxi is a very famous mountain town in northern Taiwan and the filming location of the movie “You Are the Apple of My Eye.” Especially during the Lantern Festival, it gets crowded with visitors eager to release their own sky lanterns.

Many shops in Pingxi Old Street have a rustic charm, and the railway runs alongside residential areas. Taking a stroll along the tracks while admiring the old street scenery is another fun way to enjoy the area！

▲ Sanxia Old Street. (Photo / From Wikipedia)

5. Sanxia Old Street
The architecture of Sanxia Old Street blends nostalgic baroque and southern Fujian styles. Thanks to its well-preserved condition, walking along its streets can make you feel like you’ve traveled back 50 years. In 2007, at the Global Architecture Gold Award held in Barcelona, Spain, the “Sanxia Old Street Renovation” project won second place in the Public Sector and Special Architecture category of the Global Outstanding Architecture Gold Award！

Sanxia Old Street features ancient Greek columns, Roman arches, and baroque decorations, constructing the popular European-style street scene of the time. It also incorporates elements of Western-style buildings, Japanese family crests, and Han Chinese cultural imagery. The current look of the old street largely retains its appearance from the Japanese colonial period. At the end of the old street lies the famous Sanxia Zushi Temple, which is also very unique！

▲ Touch-the-Breast Alley. (Photo / FromChanghua Attractions - Play All Taiwan Travel Network)

6. Lukang Old Street
When it comes to well-known historic streets in central Taiwan, Lukang Old Street, with its deep historical imprints, is definitely a must-visit spot. In addition to various unique temples and the highly popular Lukang Tianhou Temple, there are also many special snacks waiting for visitors to discover！

And the most famous attraction in Lukang Old Street is the uniquely narrow alleyway "Touch the Breast Alley." Additionally, many visitors opt to hop on a vintage tricycle, where a guide will take you on a tour of the old street while sharing fascinating tales from Lukang’s history, ensuring your visit is filled with enriching experiences!

▲ The Neiwan Theater in Neiwan Old Street. (Photo /Travel Information King)

Seven, Neiwan Old Street
Located in Hengshan Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan, Neiwan Old Street is primarily home to the Hakka community. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a nostalgic tourist destination, featuring attractions such as Neiwan Station, Neiwan Theater, and Neiwan Suspension Bridge. The traditional street-front buildings here are constructed with red brick pillars and foundations, wooden walls, windows, and roofs, topped with plywood or Japanese-style ceramic tiles—creating a truly unique historical landscape!

▲ Jinshan Old Street. (Photo / fromTravel Information King)

Eight, Jinshan Old Street
Jinshan Old Street is most famous for its “Jinbao Li” roast duck, and it also features an iconic building—Guang’an Temple (the Temple of Koxinga). Every August, the local government hosts the “Jinshan Sweet Potato Festival,” which combines efforts from local businesses and tourism to promote various activities and dishes, allowing visitors to learn more about Jinshan.

Aside from Jinshan Hot Springs nearby, there are also numerous cultural sites such as Guang’an Temple, the 200-year-old Xiawa Residence, the Huang Family Ancestral House, and the old Jinshan Airport. Natural attractions include Shitoushan Park, Candlestick Islets, and the Eight Scenic Spots of Jinshan, along with recreational spots like the Jinshan Youth Activity Center, Dharma Drum Mountain, Chu Wei Art Museum, and the Fish Path Ancient Trail.

▲ Osmanthus Lane in Nanzhuang Old Street. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

Nine, Nanzhuang Old Street
Nanzhuang Old Street in Miaoli is definitely a must-visit spot for old street enthusiasts, with its many retro-style buildings sure to delight those who love nostalgic charm.

From the Nanzhuang Post Office and Yongchang Temple to Osmanthus Lane, the variety of traditional snacks and treats along the way is truly dazzling. The main street foods include Hakka-style rice noodles, rice dumplings, grilled meats, and mochi. During festivals and special seasons, even more delicacies are available. Surrounding the old street, in both the town and nearby mountain areas, you can find attractions such as the Zhuolan Hakka Cultural Park, Miaoli Sugar Factory, Wenshan Puli Tea Plantations, and Shitiping Coastal Terraces.

▲ Shenkeng Old Street. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

Ten, Shenkeng Old Street
Shenkeng Old Street in New Taipei City was once a bustling market for selling tea and dyes. It’s actually not far from the Taipei Zoo, and many visitors choose to take a stroll along Shenkeng Old Street and enjoy nostalgic traditional foods after their zoo visit.

Shenkeng Old Street is known for its cultural architecture, with numerous traditional-style shops along the way including tofu eateries, zongzi stores, toy shops, and taro ball shops. It is especially famous for its “Shenkeng Tofu,” made using a pure handmade method with brine coagulation. Today, a wide variety of tofu-derived products can be found here, and there are also many specialty shops such as Ruchang Tea Company Ltd., Miao Kou Lao Dian, Heigouxiong Club, Tofu Niang Food Shop, and Shangde Tea House.